PROCEEDINGS. 73 



Before closing, it ia but due you, gentlemen of the State Board, and your worthy 

 Secretary, that I return to you our sincere thanks for your hearty cooperation 

 with us in all our plans, for the confidence reposed in us, for the kindness and 

 courtesy extended towards us. With these kindly remembrances of the past, we 

 feel assured that whatever the needs of the future may demand, we can come be- 

 fore you without fear or trembling and make our requests known, feeling confident 

 that we will be received with the same magnanimity that has heretofore been ex- 

 tended us. 



GEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 



DB. R. T. BROWN, SUPEKINTE>fDENT. 



The space assigned to exhibits in the Department of Geology and Natural His- 

 tory at the State Fair of 1884, was entirely filled, and yet there were several im- 

 portant products of the State, on which premiums were offered, that were not 

 represented by any entries— coal, coke, building stone, cement, lime, potters' clay, 

 commercial fertilizer, etc., were among them. This was the more remarkable, as in 

 several of these lines Indiana stands in the foremost rank. But the premiums 

 offered were small; and the articles are heavy and expensive in transportation and 

 handling. • 



•In general collections of fossils there were two entries, complete and well ar- 

 ranged. 



Two extensive collections of minerals were exhibited.' 



Of Mound-Builders relics two collections were displayed, representing nearly 

 all the implements of the Stone Age. 



In natural history we had two entries of mounted birds, quadrupeds and rep- 

 tiles, and one entry of the skins of birds, etc., unmounted. 



Two collections of diurnal, and three of nocturnal Lepidoptera (moths) were 

 exhibited. These were very extensive collections, and were handsomely mounted 

 and arranged. Two miscellaneous collections of insects were on exhibition, mak- 

 ing altogether a very fine display in entomology. 



One entry of botanical specimens, and four collections of Indiana wood, were 

 displayed. 



Three collections of coins and- medals were entered, bvit only two were exhibited. 



A collection of stamps, and one of miscellaneous curiosities, attracted much 

 attention of visitors. 



If I had received earlier notice of my appointment to this superintendency, it is 

 probable that I could have greatly enlarged the exhibit, but in that event we 

 would have required double the space, which probably could not have been fur- 

 nished. 



